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Dane County Parks

Special Events & Weddings

Looking for a special venue for your wedding, run/walk event, fundraiser, or music festival? Dane County Parks offers a Special Event Permit which allows you to host an event program in the natural landscapes of our park system, including Shelters, open grassy areas, scenic overlooks, and Group Campsites

If you are looking for a space to host a recurring outdoor program, visit our Recurring Program Permit webpage instead.

Dane County Parks does not manage special event or wedding rentals at Schumacher Farm County Park or Silverwood County Park. If you’re interested in hosting an event at either location, please reach out to the respective Friends group.

When is a Permit Required?

If your event requires extra planning and coordination by Dane County Parks staff or meets one or more of the criteria described below, a Special Event Permit is required. Use our Price Guide below to help with planning.

  • Advertised event (such as a walk/run; bike event, music festival, fishing tournament, etc.)
  • Sporting event or practice
  • Charging a fee for people to attend or participate
  • Sale of food, beverages or merchandise
  • More than 200 people are expected to attend
  • You’re interested in holding an event outside of the regular shelter reservation schedule:
    • You would like access to the shelter to set-up before 10:00 a.m.
    • Access later than 9:30 p.m. is discouraged, even for special events, but there may be exceptions
  • The date you would like to hold the event is before or after the facility open/close dates
  • Use areas of the park other than shelters or group camps (such as trails, boat launches, open areas, etc.)
  • Use of extensive or multiple park areas
  • Use of a sound amplification device larger than a personal radio/boom box, such as a DJ, band or sound system
  • Require additional:
    • Parking
    • Waste collection (trash and recycle)
    • Mowing of areas not usually mowed
    • Portable toilet(s)
  • Deviate from the Park Rules and Regulations (such as camping in an undesignated area)
  • Group campsite reservations with over 75 campers
  • Other criteria as determined by Dane County Parks

If none of the above criteria describes your event, you do not need a special event permit and can make reservations using our online system. Use the following links to learn more about our facilities or make reservations:

Use our Special Event Price Guide below to help determine which amenities you would like and estimate a cost for your event. Staff will review your permit request and set the final fees.

Price Guide

Special Event Permit requests must be made a minimum of two weeks before the first day of the event.

  1. Review the Special Event Criteria to determine if a Special Event Permit is needed for your event. 
  2. Submit a Special Event Permit request, if needed.
  3. If a shelter is requested for your event, staff will place a hold on the shelter and confirm with you via email within 48 business hours. Staff will review your request, set fees for your event, and contact you within 1-2 weeks. If your event is approved, you may log back into your online reservation system account or call the Parks Office at (608) 224-3730 to pay the remaining fees.

Special Event Request

 

Weddings in Parks

If you are interested in having your wedding ceremony and/or reception at a Dane County Park property a Special Event Permit is required. We offer three wedding package options. Please review these to figure out which one is the best fit as you will need to indicate which wedding package option you would like in your Special Event Permit request.

What is Included?

  • Special Event Permit
  • Shelter Reservation: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • Alcohol Permit
  • Large Structure Fee (to have a tent larger than 12’ x 12’)
  • Additional Grass Parking

Average Cost
Depending on the location, amenities, and the estimated attendance, the average cost for this package option is around $500-$900.

Best for Users Who...

  • Want to hold an event outside of our regular shelter schedule (10:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.). Examples:
    • Access to the shelter before 10:00 a.m. Saturday for decorating, setup, having a large tent setup, rental item delivery.
    • Cleanup or rental item removal on Sunday.
  • Use areas other than a park shelter (example: greenspace for a ceremony setup).
  • Leave items overnight (at your own risk).
  • Require additional parking or waste collection (trash and recycle) than is provided with a standard shelter rental.
  • Use of any sound amplification device that produces excessive, loud or unusual noises.

What is Included?

  • Special Event Permit
  • Shelter Reservation for one day (10:00 a.m. -  9:30 p.m.)
  • Alcohol Permit
  • Additional Grass Parking

Average Cost
Depending on the location, amenities, and the estimated attendance, the average cost for this package option is around $300-$500.

Best for Users Who...

  • Do not need early access to a shelter area. All setup and cleanup will happen between 10:00 a.m. -  9:30 p.m. and no large tent will be set up.
  • Use areas other than a park shelter (example: greenspace for a ceremony setup).
  • Require additional parking or waste collection (trash and recycle) than is provided with a standard shelter rental.
  • Use of any sound amplification device that produces excessive, loud or unusual noises.

What is Included?

Average Cost
Depending on the location, amenities, and the estimated attendance, the average cost for this package option is around $75.

Best for Users Who...

  • Want a wedding ceremony (under 100 people) in a park area that does not have a shelter associated with it.
  • Will have all setup and cleanup of ceremony space (chairs, arbor, decorations, etc.) occur between 10:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
  • Are not having a reception, food or beverages at this location.
  • Will not have a large tent set up.

Special Event Permit requests must be made a minimum of two weeks before the first day of the event.

  1. Determine which wedding package option you are interested in before beginning your permit request.
  2. Submit a Special Event Permit request, select "wedding" as the event type, and indicate which wedding package option you would like.
  3. If a shelter is requested for your event, staff will place a hold on the shelter and confirm with you via email within 48 business hours. Staff will review your request, set fees for your event, and contact you within 1-2 weeks. If your event is approved, you may log back into your online reservation system account or call the Parks Office at (608) 224-3730 to pay the remaining fees.

Special Event Request

 

Thank you for choosing Dane County Parks for your event. We look forward to working with you!